NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of report of atrocity in Arunachal school

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a report that 88 girls were forced to remove their clothes in front of their entire school, as a punishment given by three teachers at Papum Pare, Arunachal Pradesh.

The commission stated that punishment was meted out to them after they refused to confess having written vulgar words against the head teacher and another student on a piece of paper.

The Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, calling for a detailed report on the matter along with action taken against the guilty teachers and steps taken for counseling of the victim students. The response is expected within 4 weeks.

The Commission has observed that the sordid act of the school teachers, as reported in the media, is indeed inexcusable.

"Teachers are always highly respected in the society as they play the role of a true guide and protector for their students. Such an inhuman and insensible act cannot be expected from a teacher. Stripping minor girls, in front of the entire school, is unethical and cruel act committed by the teachers who were their lawful custodians and protectors, at that time," the Commission said.

"The right to dignity of the innocent minor girls has been grossly violated and it will definitely take time for them to overcome the trauma," the commission added.

The Commission has also asked the Secretary, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development to inform whether any guidelines for protection of the students from such maltreatment or humiliation have been made/circulated to the States, and if so, a copy of the same and status of their implementation be provided to the Commission within 4 weeks.